A parade of historic buses has marked the centenary of the iconic Lancaster to Lakes route.
Stagecoach marked 100 years of the 555 bus service between Lancaster and Keswick on Sunday with a convoy of historic buses travelling the route.
A convoy of historic buses made the 45-mile journey, pausing along the way to allow the public to admire the immaculately-restored vehicles of yesteryear.
Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “The 555 is more than a bus route. It’s a moving piece of history.
“We wanted to do something special to mark its 100th year and what better than a cavalcade of restored buses traversing the full route through Lancaster, Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick?
“We’re very proud of the 555 service, which is why we invested £3million in 2023 in nine state-of-the-art double-deckers to give passengers the best possible experience.
“There is no better way to see the Lakes than from the top deck of the 555 and now, thanks to the national fare cap, passengers can travel all the way from Lancaster to Keswick for a bargain £3 fare.”
The Lancaster-Keswick bus route is arguably the most scenic in Britain, offering views of six lakes –Windermere, Rydal Water, Grasmere, Thirlmere, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake – and traversing the foot of Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain.
Launched by Henry Meageen as the Westmorland Main Service in 1925, it was operated by Ribble Motor Services for most of its life, initially as service 68. It became the 555 in 1969 and has carried that route number ever since under Cumberland Motor Services and latterly Stagecoach.
The vintage buses on show included a 1965 single-deck Leyland Leopard, a type widely used on Ribble’s longer routes from the 1960s to the 1980s, and a 1962 Leyland PD3 double-decker, once a common sight on Ribble’s city services in Carlisle.
They were joined by two more vehicles, a 1976 Ribble Leyland Atlantean double-decker, which remained in service until 1990 and would have been seen on the 555 in the 1980s, and a Volvo B10M single-decker built in 1996, which is typical of a Kendal based vehicle seen in The Lakes in the early 2000s.
All have been restored with loving care by the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust (RVPT).
Lance Jobson, RVPT’s Company Secretary said: ‘’The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust is proud to play a key role in keeping the North West’s rich transport heritage alive.
‘’Our volunteers work tirelessly to restore and maintain historic buses, many of which once operated on routes like the 555. Events like this give us the chance to showcase our collection and share the story of Ribble’s transport history with new generations.’’
Alongside the historic buses was a present-day Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-decker, which features Lazzerini high-backed seats with extra leg room, tables with wireless charging pads, USB points and next-stop announcements and indicators.
The 555 runs hourly throughout the year and twice an hour during the busiest summer months.
Here are some of the buses that took part in the event. Photos by RVPT.
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
North West awards delight for talented stars of Lancaster musicals
Music festival set for Lancaster over Bank Holiday postponed due to ‘ongoing planning’
Lancashire Police Museum in Lancaster celebrates fourth anniversary
Police investigate alleged sexual exploitation at Lancaster flat
Beyond the Beat: Two arrests after assault in Lancaster city centre
Morecambe MP "appalled" as Lancashire set to quit refugee resettlement scheme
Replica RAF helicopter to go on display in Lancaster at three-day show
Life-size knitted mannequin pops up ahead of Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Stars play in celebrity football match in Morecambe in memory of brave teenager
Roses are red! Lancaster University students celebrate fifth straight victory
70 homes in Carnforth evacuated after bomb scare
